U.S. patent application number 15/429627 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-01 for windscreen wiper connector with internal electrical contact forming a spring.
This patent application is currently assigned to Valeo Systemes d'Essuyage. The applicant listed for this patent is Valeo Systemes d'Essuyage. Invention is credited to Gerald Caillot, Vincent Izabel, Jean-Michel Jarasson.
Application Number | 20170151931 15/429627 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43532092 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170151931 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Caillot; Gerald ; et
al. |
June 1, 2017 |
WINDSCREEN WIPER CONNECTOR WITH INTERNAL ELECTRICAL CONTACT FORMING
A SPRING
Abstract
Connector for retaining a wiper (3) on a windscreen wiper arm,
including an internal electrical connection device between, on the
one hand, an electrical connector connected to the electrical
circuit of the vehicle and, on the other hand, at least one heating
element (11) deposited on a reinforcement (20) implanted in said
wiper, characterized in that said internal connecting device
includes at least one metal part (10) extending perpendicularly to
the heating element (11) and exerting pressure against it so as to
ensure a permanent contact with said heating element (11).
Inventors: |
Caillot; Gerald; (Cernay La
Ville, FR) ; Izabel; Vincent; (Chilly Mazarin,
FR) ; Jarasson; Jean-Michel; (Le Mesnil Saint Denis,
FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Valeo Systemes d'Essuyage |
Le Mesnil Saint Denis |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Valeo Systemes d'Essuyage
Le Mesnil Saint Denis
FR
|
Family ID: |
43532092 |
Appl. No.: |
15/429627 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13805431 |
Apr 2, 2013 |
9598053 |
|
|
PCT/EP2011/060472 |
Jun 22, 2011 |
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15429627 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 2201/26 20130101;
B60S 1/3805 20130101; H01R 13/05 20130101; B60S 1/4038 20130101;
B60S 1/3862 20130101; B60S 1/40 20130101; B60S 1/524 20130101; B60S
2001/4054 20130101; H01R 13/02 20130101; B60S 1/52 20130101; B60S
1/3806 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60S 1/40 20060101
B60S001/40; B60S 1/52 20060101 B60S001/52; H01R 13/05 20060101
H01R013/05; B60S 1/38 20060101 B60S001/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 30, 2010 |
FR |
1002780 |
Claims
1-9. (canceled)
10. A windscreen wiper blade assembly comprising: a wiper that
includes a wiping rubber with a wiper lip; at least one vertebra
disposed on the wiper; a heating element disposed on the at least
one vertebra; a retaining connector that connects the wiper to a
wiper arm; and an internal electrical connection device disposed
within the retaining connector, wherein the at least one vertebra
and the heating element extends in a lengthwise direction of the
wiper, and wherein the internal electrical connection device is
positioned between an electrical connector connected to an
electrical circuit of a vehicle and the heating element.
11. The windscreen wiper blade assembly according to claim 10,
wherein the internal connecting device comprises at least one metal
part exerting pressure against the heating element to ensure a
permanent contact between the at least one metal part and the
heating element.
12. The windscreen wiper blade assembly according to claim 10,
wherein the at least one metal part is separable from the heating
element.
13. The windscreen wiper blade assembly according to claim 11,
wherein the metal part has a compression spring function.
14. The windscreen wiper blade assembly according to claim 10,
wherein the at least one metal part is a tongue terminating at an
end in a curved manner having a crook shape curving upwards.
15. The windscreen wiper blade assembly according to claim 11,
wherein the at least one metal part is force-fitted in a hollow
column in the connector perpendicular to the heating element.
16. The windscreen wiper blade assembly according to claim 15,
wherein the at least one metal part includes asperities forming
non-return devices of the at least one metal part in the
column.
17. The windscreen wiper blade assembly according to claim 11,
wherein the at least one metal part is extended at a lower end by a
foot extending in a direction inclined relative to the plane in
which the heating element lies, the foot is provided with a contact
lug that extends in the plane of the heating element.
18. The windscreen wiper blade assembly according to claim 10,
wherein the at least one vertebra is a small blade that is
integrated into the length of a squeegee portion of the wiper.
19. The windscreen wiper blade assembly according to claim 10,
wherein the retaining connector includes at least one liquid feed
tube that receives a washing liquid and at least one distribution
manifold that distributes the washing liquid to at least one liquid
channel in the wiper.
20. The windscreen wiper blade assembly according to claim 19,
wherein the wiper includes a plurality of nozzles that spray the
washing liquid onto a surface of the windscreen of the vehicle.
Description
[0001] The field of the present invention is that of equipment for
vehicles and more particularly that of equipments for wiping the
windscreen of motor cars.
[0002] Motor cars are routinely equipped with wiping and washing
systems for wiping and washing the windscreen and preventing
distortion of the view that the driver has of their environment.
These wiping systems comprise arms effecting an angular to-and-fro
movement, at the end of which are installed elongate wipers
themselves carrying squeegee blades produced in an elastic
material. These blades rub against the windscreen and evacuate the
water out of the field view of the driver. The wipers are produced
in the form, either, in a classic version, of articulated brackets
that hold the squeegee blade at a plurality of discrete locations,
or, in a more recent, so-called "flat blade" version, a semi-rigid
assembly that holds the squeegee blade over all its length. In both
solutions the wiper is attached to the turning arm of the
windscreen wiper by an assembly consisting of a mechanical
connector and an adapter. The connector is a part that is fixed
directly to the structure of the wiper or directly to the fiat
blade, the adapter being an intermediate part enabling fixing of
the connector to the windscreen wiper arm. These two parts are
connected to each other by a transverse shaft that allows relative
rotation thereof.
[0003] Windscreen wipers are also equipped with devices for feeding
a windscreen washing liquid that is fed from a tank situated on the
vehicle and that is sprayed in the direction of the windscreen by
nozzles generally situated on the bonnet or on the grille of the
windscreen frame, or on the windscreen wiper itself for improved
distribution of the liquid. In the case of nozzles placed on the
wipers, the windscreen washing liquid is fed, before being
distributed between them, by pipes that are fixed to the arm of the
windscreen wiper and that are connected to the distribution system
of the wiper at the level of the connector. The connector thus
includes orifices adapted to receive the ends of said pipes by way
of a watertight connection.
[0004] Also encountered in the motor vehicle after-sales service
field are devices for heating the windscreen for de-icing the wiper
in very cold weather and preventing ice from sticking it to the
windscreen. These devices, which are more specifically suited to
flat blade wipers, generally include a vertebra integrated into the
whole of the squeegee blade and on which electrical heating
elements are disposed. They also necessitate an electrical
connection device, placed at the level of the connector, for
transmitting to the vertebra the electrical current coming from the
vehicle.
[0005] The vertebra is constituted of a rigid sole on which two
metal tracks in which the electrical current flows are deposited to
form a heating element. The connector must transmit the current,
prevent short circuits and ensure a good contact with the heating
elements.
[0006] An object of the present invention is to improve the
situation by proposing feeding of the electrical current inside the
connector as simply as possible for reasons of manufacturing
simplicity and cost, whilst guaranteeing absence of short circuits
and good contact with the heating elements, notably the heating
resistances implanted on the vertebra, despite any loads linked
either to the level of vibration or to imperfections of the
road.
[0007] To this end, the invention consists in a retaining connector
between a wiper and a windscreen wiper arm, including an internal
electrical connection device between, on the one hand, an
electrical connector connected to the electrical circuit of the
vehicle and, on the other hand, at least one heating element
implanted in said wiper. It is characterized in that said internal
connecting device includes at least one metal part exerting
pressure against said heating element so as to ensure a permanent
contact with said heating element.
[0008] Thanks to this pressing against the heating element, the
contact between the device internal to the connector and the
heating element is ensured regardless of the loads, notably
vibrations or impacts, suffered by the wiping system as a result of
imperfections of the road on which the vehicle is moving.
[0009] Of course, the mechanical connection between the wiper and
the windscreen wiper arm can be provided by means of an additional
connecting part called an adapter.
[0010] Said metal part is perpendicular to said heating
element.
[0011] In one embodiment, said metal part exerts its pressure via a
conductive seal that also has a hydraulic sealing function between
a hollow column in the connector and the exterior thereof, Thus a
single part provides the electrical contact and the necessary
isolation between the interior and the exterior of the
connector.
[0012] Said metal part advantageously has a compression spring
function.
[0013] In one particular embodiment said metal part is a tongue
terminating at its lower end in a curved manner, for example in a
crook shape curving upwards, i.e. toward a cover closing an orifice
in the hollow column.
[0014] Said metal part is preferably force-fitted in the hollow
column in said connector substantially perpendicularly to said
heating element.
[0015] Said metal part more preferably includes asperities forming
non-return devices of said metal part in said column.
[0016] Alternatively, the metal part is positioned in the cover
that closes a connector, mechanical forces being taken up by the
connection between the cover and the connector.
[0017] In another embodiment, said metal part is extended at its
lower end by a foot or conductive seal extending in a direction
inclined relative to the plane in which the heating element lies,
said foot being provided with a contact lug extending in the plane
of said heating element. In this case, the contact lug also has a
compression spring function.
[0018] The invention also consists in a windscreen wiper comprising
a reinforcement that extends lengthwise of the wiper and on which
the heating element is deposited, the wiper being provided with a
connector as described above,
[0019] The invention further consists in a vehicle windscreen wiper
arm on which such a wiper is mounted.
[0020] The invention will be better understood, and other objects,
details, features and advantages thereof will become more clearly
apparent in the light of the following detailed explanatory
description with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings of
a plurality of embodiments of the invention that are purely
illustrative and not limiting on the invention.
[0021] In those drawings:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a motor vehicle
windscreen wiper;
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a detail of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a windscreen wiper connector
showing partly in section its internal electrical connection in a
first embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a windscreen wiper connector
showing partly in section its internal electrical connection in a
second embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view from below of the connector
from FIG. 5;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a perspective view in longitudinal section of a
connector in a third embodiment, and
[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the internal electrical
connection of the connector from FIG. 6.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is seen a windscreen wiper
classically composed of a wiper support or arm 1 terminating at its
end in a yoke 2 that is crimped to the arm 1 and the function of
which is, via an adapter, to support the wiper 3 carried by its
connector 4. Alternatively, this yoke may equally be formed at the
end of the arm by deformation thereof and with the arm constitute a
unitary assembly.
[0030] The wiper 3 includes a metal reinforcement or vertebra that
takes the form of a small blade integrated into the length of a
squeegee portion of the wiper. This reinforcement supports heating
elements, notably heating resistances, for heating the structure of
the wiper and de-icing it in very cold weather, which enables the
mechanical characteristics of the plastics constituting the wiper
to be preserved.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is seen a connector 4 mounted
on a wiper 3. It includes two windscreen washing liquid feed tubes
5, which washing liquid passes through internal pipes of the
connector 4 and is distributed to two distribution manifolds 6 to
be sprayed onto the windscreen via nozzles positioned along all of
the wiper 3. It also includes an electrical circuit for
distribution of the current that is fed via two feed wires 7
carried by the arm 1. These wires 7 terminate in terminals 8 the
function of which is to provide electrical contacts for electrical
connection means internal to the connector 4 described hereinafter.
These terminals 8 are positioned in a cover 9 that is carried by
the connector 4 and that seals the live components from the
outside, notably the surrounding water. Under the cover 9, inside
the connector 4, there is seen a vertical hollow column 17,
perpendicular to the heating element 11 or to the vertebra 20
inserted into the wiper 3, in which is positioned a metal part 10
providing the electrical connection between the electrical current
feed wire 7 and a heating element 11 deposited on the vertebra 20.
The metal parts 10 take the form of tongues but each of them
includes, at its upper end, a slot in which one of the terminals 8
is inserted to provide a so-called fork type connection. Their
lower end, on the other hand, is produced in the form of a crook
12, curving upwards i.e. toward the cover 9, which creates a spring
contact against the heating elements 11. The connector thus
comprises two hollow columns 17 inside which extends a metal part
or tongue.
[0032] To retain them in the hollow column 17 of the connector 4
and to maintain a permanent bearing force against the heating
element 11, the tongues 10 are provided with asperities, of the
barb type, and are force-fitted into the connector. The barbs
penetrate into the plastic material constituting the plastic body
of the connector, which prevents the tongues 10 from being able to
move in the reverse direction after their implantation and the
contact between them and the heating elements from being broken.
Alternatively, the tongues 10 are fixed or fastened against the
bottom of the cover 9 in collaboration with the terminals 8. The
permanence of a bearing force against the heating elements 11 is
then guaranteed by the mechanical connection between the cover 9
and the body of the connector 4.
[0033] The cover 9 is assembled to the connector 4 by gluing,
moulding or clipping and, in the latter case, a seal is added to
make the seal between the cover 9 and the connector 4.
[0034] A second embodiment will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 4 and 5. The elements of the connector identical to the first
embodiment are designated by the same reference and are not
described again. The second embodiment is distinguished from the
first essentially in that the tongues 10 are shorter than in the
first embodiment and consequently are not in direct contact with
the heating elements 11 of the wiper 3. Contact is made via
conductive seals 13 that contribute to the spring and damping
function that the tongues 10 alone provide in the first embodiment.
These conductive seals 13 also provide a watertight seal between
the exterior of the connector and the interior thereof, at the
level of the hollow columns 17.
[0035] These seals 13 are produced in an elastic material charged
with metal particles to ensure their electrical conductivity whilst
guaranteeing sufficient flexibility to provide their sealing
function and a compression spring function. As can be seen in FIG.
5, they are positioned so as to pass through the lower base of the
connector and to come into contact with the heating elements 11.
The contribution of these seals 13 lies in the natural creation of
a seal between the connector 4 and the wiper 3, which avoids the
use of a resin to seal the assembly.
[0036] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the invention. In
FIG. 6, the connector 4 is shown in section on a median
longitudinal plane in order to make the internal cavities in which
the metal connectors are implanted visible.
[0037] The terminals 8 that receive the electrical current coming
from the vehicle via an electrical connector are inserted into a
horizontal slot 18 while the tongues 10 are implanted in vertical
hollow columns 17. The terminals 8 terminate at their end intended
to cooperate with the tongue 10 in two teeth forming a fork
attachment in which said tongues are inserted.
[0038] Referring more particularly to FIG. 7, there are seen the
terminals 8 positioned in an electrical connector 30 in which they
are retained and to which are connected the feeder wires (reference
7, FIG. 3) coming from the vehicle, more particularly coming from
an electrical connector of the vehicle. In this third embodiment
the tongues 10 are extended by a second tongue 14 that extends
longitudinally and is divided into two feet 15. These two feet have
a slope inclined relative to the horizontal, i.e. relative to the
plane of the heating element 11 deposited on the vertebra or
reinforcement 20 inserted in the wiper 3, which generates a spring
effect if pressure is applied vertically to the first tongue 10.
The feet 15 end in claws 16 that are in contact with the heating
elements 11 deposited on the vertebra of the wiper.
[0039] The operation of the electrical connection inside the
connector 4 of the first embodiment will now be described. The
operation of this connection is exactly the same in the second and
third embodiments,
[0040] The electrical current arrives at the level of the connector
4 via the feeder wires 7 that are connected to the vehicle via an
electrical connector, of the type referenced 30 in FIG. 7. It
enters the connector 4 at the level of its cover 9 that provides
the seal between the bare metal contacts placed inside it and the
outside environment, which may be drenched by water falling onto
the windscreen wiper. The current passes from the feed wires 7 to
the tongue 10 thanks to the terminal 8 and its contact with the
slot positioned at the upper end thereof, and then into the heating
elements 11 deposited on the vertebra 20 of the wiper 3, where it
is converted to heat by the Joule effect, to heat the structure of
the wiper and therefore combat icing up.
[0041] The pressure of the tongue 10 against the heating elements
11, which is obtained by the force fitting of the tongue and its
barbed asperities or by the fixing of the tongue into the cover,
guarantees contact of good quality between the two metal parts and
a permanent contact despite the loads to which they are subjected
as a result of vibration and jarring caused by the irregularities
of the road.
[0042] In the second embodiment the pressurization is assured by
the crushing of the conductive seals 13 by the shortened tongue 10,
which is as previously force-fitted into the connector 4. As
indicated above, this seal also provides a sealing function between
the tongue 10 and the heating element 11 at the level of the
passage through the lower base of the connector 4.
[0043] In the third embodiment, the pressurization is assured by
the upper portion of the connector 4, which bears on the tongue 10
and causes relative separation of the two feet 15, pressing the
lugs 16 against the heating elements 11.
* * * * *